Home security is vital to ensure the protection of your home and assets. Learn how to set up your home CCTV system to improve your safety. In this post you will learn:
- Selection of cameras.
- How to hook up security cameras.
- Getting hands on the process.
- Choosing a DVR and connections.
It can get very expensive when you buy the full home CCTV camera setup, and then you have to hire someone to install it. It doesn’t have to be a problem if you’re a DIY enthusiast; but if you don’t know how to set up your home CCTV system, then we are here to help you.
The privacy and security of everyone’s household should be their number one priority. Homeowners need to prevent break-ins, keep an eye on deliveries, children, and pets. Burglars can peek into your home and make plans to come back, but the next time they come, they won’t leave empty-handed.
To avoid problems and keep an eye on everyone, home CCTV is a must; so, we need to give you a complete description of how you can set up a great CCTV protection system.
Outdoor vs. Indoor cameras
Both outdoor and indoor cameras work well, depending on your home’s location. You might only require outdoor cameras if you live in a risky area, or both if chances of a break-in are high.
To start, we must first consider outdoor cameras as it’s the first boundary, and if someone can cross that line, it means there is a lack of vigilance.
Outdoor cameras:
Outdoor cameras are usually sustainable in rainy weather. They also have a wide range of motion and often feature spotlights and night vision. You can purchase a wired system, wireless or even run it with solar panels. Solar systems are a bit more expensive and are designed to be more secure than other systems.
Advanced outdoor cameras have a built-in siren to scare-off intruders. This can scare the burglars into running away without continuing with a robbery.
Indoor cameras:
Indoor cameras aren’t usually water-resistant as it’s not necessary. They also have a smaller range of view and are usually smaller and less likely to be seen. Good indoor cameras have a cover lens that manually or automatically shuts-off when the cameras are turned off.
.
Both outdoor and indoor cameras are available in both wired and wireless forms. Indoor cameras include a siren feature or can be connected to the home hub system to sound the alarm if there is an intruder
Where to install an outdoor camera?
The most suitable positions for outdoor cameras are the main house door, above the garage or at the front and/or back porch. For the house door, you must choose a rotatable camera to cover all the directions in front of it. For the porch camera, place it in such a position that it captures the driveway and front portion, so you get a good view of the front of the house.
Where to install an indoor camera?
The indoor camera should not look out of place in the setting of the room. Position your indoor camera in such a way that it captures a clear view of the entire room if possible. Ideally, you do not want the camera to be noticeable, whether it’s by the family or by potential thieves. Most people use wired cameras inside the house so it’s important to check that they have been wired safely and correctly.
Which security camera should I buy?
Having both indoor and outdoor cameras is highly recommended so you can have a fuller overview. You can buy wired, wireless, or wire-free cameras, depending on your budget. A wired camera comes with an option to connect it to the internet, which is a handy feature.
Wireless cameras are linked to the internet, but they still need a cord. Wire-free cameras need batteries but don’t need a power cord.
How to hook up home security cameras?
If you have decided not to hire technical help but instead intend setting up your security cameras on your own, you may need additional equipment, such as a drill, some screwdrivers, wires, anchors, a power adapter, tape etc. You may already have these if you have a multiuse toolkit and already do DIY projects at home.
Before you begin, make sure to:
- Find a suitable point on the wall to fit the camera that will allow it to cover a wide view.
- Mark and drill the holes accurately and be careful with the drill.
- Depending on the camera, you may need to locate a stud or use drywall anchors.
- Check for the presence of wires from other appliances.
- If you use wired cameras, make sure that the hole you drill is big enough to stretch the wire. The good thing about wireless cameras is that you don’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty stuff of wiring, but you do need to make sure that you have a strong enough Wi-Fi connection.
You must place your security camera out of reach so that a thief or a child cannot simply grab it and escape. It is recommended to fix any security camera at least nine feet above ground level, but not so high that you can’t see what’s happening below.
Getting hands-on the process:
Clear position for cameras:
- Mount your camera high enough to get a broad view of your area. Attach the camera in positions that can cover as much area as possible.
- Place the camera out of reach, so that it is not easily accessible.
- Avoid pointing your camera towards a light source to avoid video and image captured images being underexposed.
- Be sure to place your camera near a power socket, or you can use extensions.
- Place a lid over or cover the mounting bracket to avoid damage to the camera from extreme weather, especially if you are placing it outdoors.
- Avoid installing indoor cameras below windows to avoid having overexposed images due to IR.
Mounting the camera on the wall.
- Drill holes on the walls, ceilings, and room corners at the positions you marked.
- Position your camera at a proper angle and dimension that has a clear field of view.
- Make sure it detects the best motion.
- Place it at least nine feet high.
Wire arrangement for CCTV setup:
Before mounting your security cameras, make sure that you plan where you want them to go, and plan the route for the camera wires. If you are installing cameras in several areas of your house, such as the basement, kitchen, backyard, and lounge, you might require lots of wires and it’s important to keep them neat and hazard free.
Drill holes on marked positions where the wire will pass through. You should use the nearest route for a house with two or three floors. It would be best to push all the cable ends into the holes you drilled. This will prevent the wires from wearing out since you can conceal them. You can also choose a room where you can store the cables.
Choose a suitable position for DVR/NVR.
All CCTV recordings are stored inside the DVR/NVR. To minimize in line losses, reduce the cable length. The DVR/NVR should be placed in such a place that it’s out of reach. It would be better to allocate a separate room for the security camera setup. Connect all the wiring of the security cameras to your DVR/NVR.
Points to remember:
- Decide-on the camera-to-DVR path. Install the wiring inside the moldings and nail the moldings down.
- IP cameras require a Cat 6 or Cat 6a connection. Video and power cables need to be connected to an analogue HD system. You should join the camera cable to the DVR/NVR.
- Connect the DVR/NVR power cable into the hard drive. After connecting it to a power socket, you can turn on the DVR/NVR.
- Turn on the monitor after connecting it. A split-screen should appear with as many images as there are cameras.
Make sure to have a central surveillance hub. It should be located in a position that allows you link other cameras to it easily later on. The DVR can manage numerous cameras connected to it. The monitor will display every camera in your setup, or you can also cycle them through the input button on the DVR.
Test your CCTV system to check that it Is working after your installation. If it isn’t working, check all the plugins and connections. Home security is important for the safety of your home and everyone in it. We hope this guide helps you to set up your home CCTV system.